Europe Probiotics Market Research Report 2025-2030

The European probiotics market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.76% from 2024 to 2030.

The market is highly diverse and competitive, shaped by complex regulations and the presence of both domestic and international players. Probiotics are widely used to manage various health conditions, including gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, cancer, allergies, liver issues, and more. Rising incidences of such diseases are driving greater health awareness across European countries. Many of the region’s major markets, with large populations, are witnessing increased consumer recognition of the benefits of probiotics in supporting gut health. In countries such as Germany, France, Italy, the UK, and Spain, awareness of the nutritional value of probiotic-based products is growing steadily. To stay competitive, companies must focus on developing innovative products that cater to evolving consumer preferences.

EUROPE PROBIOTICS MARKET NEWS

• In 2023, ADM company opened a state-of-the-art production facility with around $30 million investment in Spain to meet the demand for probiotics across the regional and global markets.
• In 2023, the Danone company launched science-based probiotics supplements to support breastfeeding experiences.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Product Type: The functional food & beverages segment holds the largest market share of over 83%.

Ingredients: The bacteria segment shows the highest growth of 7.91% during the forecast period.

Age Group: The adult segment accounted for the largest market share in 2024.

Distribution Channels: The supermarkets and hypermarkets dominate and hold the largest Europe probiotics market share.

Region: The EU-5 region accounts for the largest market share of over 58%.

• Growth Factor: The Europe probiotics market is set to grow due to supportive initiatives and guidelines for probiotics in Europe and the growing importance of digestive health care & management.

EUROPE PROBIOTICS MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Rising Application of Probiotics in Overall Health Management

Across Europe, scientific research on probiotics continues to expand. According to the Food Supplement Europe journal (2022), more than 4,300 publications have been devoted to probiotics. Furthermore, the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition supports the use of certain probiotics for managing acute gastroenteritis in children. In the UK, the National Health Service has introduced information on probiotics on its website to improve access to health management resources. Probiotics also have wide-ranging applications in the pharmaceutical industry, including the treatment of cancers, neurodegenerative disorders, and inflammatory diseases. In addition, they are effective against multidrug-resistant pathogens and play a crucial role in maintaining a balanced gut microbiota ecosystem.

Next-generation Probiotics - an Emerging Health Perspective

Probiotics are healthy live microorganisms that support the intestinal ecosystem and promote human health. The latest advancements in this field have given rise to next-generation probiotics (NGPs), which are now being considered as biotherapeutic products, nutraceuticals, or food supplements. NGPs represent an innovative group of beneficial bacteria currently under research and development. They are transforming the healthcare landscape with promising approaches to treat a wide range of health conditions. Unlike conventional probiotics, NGPs are designed not only for general use but also tailored for clinical and pharmaceutical applications. Key next-generation probiotics, including Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Akkermansia muciniphila, and Christensenella minuta, have shown significant potential in managing digestive disorders, supporting immune health, and even contributing to cancer therapy. These bacterial species are naturally found in the human gut and are being recognized for their therapeutic benefits in modern medicine.

Supportive Initiatives and Guidelines for Probiotics In Europe

In Europe, the lack of clarity surrounding the use of the term “probiotics” has prompted several European Union (EU) member states to adopt and publish national guidelines to improve access to and usage of probiotic products. For example, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Italy have recently issued guidelines permitting the phrase “contains probiotics” on product labels, provided certain conditions are met and the claim is presented as factual information. According to a 2023 Euractiv report, the implementation of these guidelines has driven growth in online sales of probiotic-based dietary supplements and food products across many European countries, reaching an estimated market value of around USD 200 million in 2022.

Growing Importance of Digestive Health Care & Management In Europe

In European countries, the growing focus on digestive health is driving significant demand for probiotics. According to the Food Supplement Europe report (2022), several countries in the region have seen rising awareness and interest in digestive wellness. In Ireland alone, more than 71% of people expressed a desire to be educated about digestive health, with most relying on social media and online resources for information. Additionally, over 40% of the adult population in Europe is aware of probiotics and their benefits in managing digestive health.

EUROPE PROBIOTICS MARKET SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS

INSIGHTS BY PRODUCT TYPE

The Europe probiotics market by product type is segmented into functional food & beverages and dietary supplements. The functional food & beverages segment holds the largest market share of over 83%. Probiotic-based foods and beverages, scientifically recognized for their potential as future nutrition solutions, are increasingly valued for enhancing health, wellness, and overall well-being. These products are gaining strong attention and popularity due to their proven benefits for gut health, holistic wellness, and immune support. A notable global and regional dietary shift has emerged in recent years, marked by rising demand for functional foods. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this trend, placing probiotic-enriched functional foods and beverages at the center of nutritional discussions.

According to the International Journal of Food Science (2025), consumers are increasingly drawn to foods and beverages with health-enhancing properties, particularly those that support digestive health. In addition, non-dairy probiotic products have grown in popularity, driven by rising vegetarian preferences as well as increasing concerns about lactose intolerance and dairy allergies. This rapidly expanding trend is creating lucrative opportunities for market growth within the probiotic food and beverage segment.

INSIGHTS BY INGREDIENTS

The European probiotics market by ingredients is categorized into bacteria and yeast. The bacteria segment shows significant growth, with the fastest-growing CAGR of 7.91% during the forecast period. Disruptions in gut health, an essential ecosystem of microorganisms within the digestive system, have been linked to the progression and development of various gastrointestinal diseases. Among the available solutions, bacteria-based probiotic products have gained considerable attention for their crucial role in supporting gastrointestinal health. Lactobacillus species are the most commonly used bacteria in probiotics and are widely available in yogurt and other fermented foods.

Gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and antibiotic-associated diarrhea affect millions of people across Europe, with an estimated 300 million individuals impacted. This rising disease burden has fueled growing demand for bacteria-based probiotic products across the region.

INSIGHTS BY AGE GROUP

Based on the age group, the adult segment accounted for the largest Europe probiotics market share in 2024. In adults, gastrointestinal diseases such as IBD, IBS, GERD, acute gastroenteritis, and antibiotic-associated diarrhea are highly prevalent across Europe. Probiotic products empower individuals to make informed decisions in their daily lives and take better care of themselves by helping them manage minor gut health issues and gastrointestinal ailments.

Among adults, factors such as smoking, vaping, alcohol consumption, chronic health conditions, and unhealthy lifestyle and dietary habits are driving the demand for probiotics. Education also shows a strong positive correlation with probiotic consumption, as more educated individuals are more likely to practice self-care. These trends have contributed to the growing adoption of probiotics across Europe.

INSIGHTS BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

The supermarkets and hypermarkets dominate and hold the largest Europe probiotics market share. Supermarkets and hypermarkets are major retail outlets that offer a wide range of probiotic products under one roof, allowing for brand differentiation, price comparison, and broad consumer choice. These establishments provide convenience and accessibility, delivering a one-stop shopping experience where customers can purchase probiotics alongside their daily necessities.

They serve as key distribution channels for probiotic products, offering extensive product variety and promoting both global and regional brands, often at discounted prices. This not only helps build consumer loyalty but also strengthens brand confidence. Vendors prefer supermarkets and hypermarkets due to their strong presence in urban areas, as well as their ability to support both sales and promotional activities. Moreover, high awareness levels and greater per capita spending among consumers in urban centers, as well as in rapidly developing tier-II and tier-III cities, are contributing significantly to revenue growth in the probiotics market.

EUROPE PROBIOTICS MARKET REGIONAL ANALYSIS

The EU-5 region accounts for the largest Europe probiotics market share of over 58%. According to the IPA Europe Journal (2022), the EU-5 countries have shown high levels of attention and awareness toward gut health and digestive disease care. A 2024 report from the Government of the Netherlands highlighted that Germany, France, the UK, Spain, and Italy are among the leading nations significantly investing in digestive health, thereby creating strong demand for probiotics.

Recently, the EU-5 countries have also supported the use of the term “probiotic” on food and supplement labels, improving consumer access to these products. This regulatory shift has expanded the availability of probiotic-based foods and supplements across the region, contributing to substantial market revenue growth.

In 2024, Germany accounted for more than 26% of the EU-5 probiotics market share. It remains the leading market in both the EU-5 and Europe overall, driven by broad consumer acceptance, greater accessibility of probiotic products, a rising prevalence of digestive diseases, and strong awareness of probiotics and their benefits for gut health. According to the International Probiotic Association, Germany also stands out for its high knowledge levels, with over 60% of the population being familiar with probiotics and more than 30% actively consuming them.

EUROPE PROBIOTICS MARKET VENDOR LANDSCAPE

The Europe probiotics market report consists of exclusive data on 20 vendors. The market is characterized by high concentration and intense competition among players. This environment is compelling vendors to refine their value propositions to strengthen their market presence. Probiotic product manufacturers also face competition from general dietary supplement and functional food producers. In addition, dairy-based functional foods, often considered alternatives to probiotics, create further competitive pressure for industry players.

To stay ahead, probiotic providers are focusing on enhancing the efficiency and quality of their product offerings while reinforcing their market positions. Many of these vendors benefit from strong brand recognition and a wide geographical reach across Europe.

Key Vendors

• Nestlé
• Probi
• Danone
• ADM
• Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd

Other Prominent Vendors

• AB Biotics
• Institut AllergoSan
• BioGaia
• CULTECH LIMITED - ProVen UK
• General Mills
• International Flavours & Fragrances Inc.
• Novozymes
• Morinaga Milk Industry Co., LTD
• PepsiCo
• PanTheryx
• Sanofi
• Sacco System
• Teva Pharmaceuticals
• Winclove Probiotics
• Wren Laboratories

SEGMENTATION & FORECASTS

Product Type

• Functional Food & Beverages
• Dietary Supplements

Ingredients

• Bacteria
• Yeast

Age Group

• Adults
• Pediatrics

Distribution Channels

• Supermarkets & Hypermarkets
• Departmental Stores & Discounters
• Drug Stores
• Online Stores

Geography

• EU-5
• Germany
• France
• UK
• Italy
• Spain
• Central, Eastern & Southern (CES) Europe
• Russia
• Poland
• Netherlands
• Czech Republic
• Hungary
• Switzerland
• Nordic Europe Region
• Sweden
• Denmark

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

1. What is the growth rate of the Europe probiotics market?
2. Who are the major players in the Europe probiotics market?
3. Which region dominates the Europe probiotics market?
4. How big is the Europe probiotics market?
5. What are the key drivers of the Europe probiotics market?